A senior Tory Cabinet minister has said all Conservatives are “mad”, a party
vice-chairman has claimed.

The Tory MP Michael Fabricant said Francis Maude, the Cabinet Office minister, had described Conservatives as “mad” during a conversation last year.

Earlier this year David Cameron was forced to deny that anyone in his inner-circle believed that Tory activists were “mad, swivel-eyed loons” after a senior member of his team used that phrase to describe Conservative association members.

Mr Fabricant, the MP for Lichfield, is regarded as one of the most eccentric figures in the House of Commons. He is known for his blond hair and outspoken comments.

In an interview with Total Politics magazine Mr Fabricant said: “Francis Maude said a great thing to me last year: 'You know what Michael? With your long hair and your strange views, we all thought you were mad, and do you know what? The Conservative Party has changed, and now we are all mad just like you.’